My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ here in Whatcom County,

Jubilee Year

On December 24^th, 2024, Pope Francis inaugurated the Jubilee Year of 2025. [Vatican, USCCB, Seattle, Wikipedia] Historically, the focus of a Jubilee year involves a pilgrimage to Rome; however, aware that most people in our Archdiocese are unable to make such a trip due to economic or time constraints, Archbishop Etienne has established five locations across the Archdiocese of Seattle in which the local faithful can obtain the Jubilee indulgence. [Explanation]

Choosing St. Joachim

Knowing they needed a location in the north, the Archdiocese contacted me to ask if one of our churches could serve to receive pilgrims. I briefly considered using Assumption, as the most prominent and accessible church in our region, but my discernment very quickly redirected me to focus on St. Joachim. Why?

First, we have a special responsibility as Catholics in Whatcom County to spread devotion to St. Kateri Tekakwitha. Every miracle of God is intentional, with a purpose oriented towards our salvation. Somehow, in ways we will only unpack over the course of decades, St. Kateri’s intercession for Jake Finkbonner – a Lummi descendant, a member of our parishes, and a student at our school – was and is supposed to bring the Lummi people, Whatcom County, and the Archdiocese of Seattle closer to Jesus. The more we can remind people of St. Kateri’s love for Jesus, the more we honor the Lord’s purposes in working this miracle in our community.

Second, the first Catholic communities in Western Washington and in Whatcom County were Native American. In addition to the Roman Jubilee, this year marks the 175^th anniversary of the establishment of the Archdiocese of Seattle, and the history of our Archdiocese cannot be understood without a connection to the Native American Catholics who continue to live the Catholic faith so cherished and powerfully lived by their ancestors.

An Opportunity for Whatcom County

Of course, beyond being good stewards and hosts for the wider Archdiocese, having St. Joachim serve as a pilgrimage site is a huge opportunity for the faithful of Whatcom County. Focusing on St. Joachim specifically over the course of the next year allows us to rediscover the history of the faith in our county and allows us to show some much-needed love to our eldest sister church – St. Joachim – and our elder brothers and sisters in faith – the Lummi people.

Specific Requests

Specifically, I am asking every Catholic in Whatcom County to consider the following actions in the Jubilee 2025 year:

• Make a pilgrimage – if we are inviting the entire Archdiocese to come here on pilgrimage, we should lead by example. Every Whatcom County Catholic should find a time to visit and worship at St. Joachim during the year. At present, Masses are held at 8:30 am on Sundays and 5:00 pm on Thursdays.

• Make a donation – due partly to its age and partly to the smaller nature of its community, St. Joachim’s church has some significant maintenance issue that need addressed. I am hoping that a year of pilgrimage will allow us to get caught up on these maintenance needs and will inspire all Catholics in Whatcom County – side-by-side with the Lummi people – to feel long-term responsibility for this church that means so much to us and our history. Would you consider donating 5 hours of your salary (12.5% of one week of income) to these needs?
  
  We are establishing a special fund for donations to these St. Joachim projects, and you can find instructions for donating to this fund attached. We have identified $336,000 in potential projects and will carry out whatever we are able to fund.

• Volunteer – we want to make sure St. Joachim is as beautiful and presentable as possible for all the pilgrims, and that we can host them appropriately. Attached, you will find information on work parties planned to spruce up the interior and exterior of the campus, as well as opportunities to open the church and receive pilgrims during expanded hours.

• Pray – unfortunately, though many Lummi people still identify as Catholic, the actual practice of the faith among them has diminished significantly in recent decades, putting St. Joachim right back at the center of an evangelizing mission. Your prayers – this year and ongoing – for St. Joachim and the people it serves matter because the mission of St. Joachim on the Lummi reservation is more and more necessary each day.

Plenary Indulgence

As a Jubilee Pilgrimage location, praying at St. Joachim comes with a Plenary Indulgence. Canon 992 provides the following definition of an indulgence:

“An indulgence is the remission in the sight of God of the temporal punishment due for sins, the guilt of which has already been forgiven. A member of Christ’s faithful who is properly disposed and who fulfils certain specific conditions, may gain an indulgence by the help of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, authoritatively dispenses and applies the treasury of the merits of Christ and the Saints.”

In order to receive this specific plenary indulgence, a person must fulfill the following conditions:

1. Attend Mass at St. Joachim Church at Lummi during the 2025 Jubilee Year. Or, apart from Mass, “for a suitable period of time, engage in Eucharistic adoration and meditation, concluding with the Our Father, the Profession of Faith in any legitimate form, and invocations to Mary, the Mother of God.” [Vatican Decree]
2. Be in a state of grace at the time of the visit. [EWTN Explanation]
3. Have received sacramental confession and holy communion within a reasonable amount of time before or after the visit (approx. 20 days).
4. Be detached from sin (i.e. not be planning to return to sin).
5. Pray for the intentions of the Pope.

This indulgence can be received daily throughout the Jubilee Year. One confession can cover multiple indulgences, but each indulgence requires a separate reception of communion.

Volunteer Opportunities at St. Joachim

Pilgrim Volunteers

Description: Open up the church to pilgrims and welcome them to St. Joachim.

Preparation: Training will be provided.

Available Times: Pilgrimage volunteering will start in March, and we will need volunteers on the following dates:

• Thursdays from 3pm-7pm
• Sundays from 8am-12pm

How to Sign Up:

• Visit this link: https://archseattle.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/4327/responses/new
• Email Olivia: olivia@whatcomcatholic.org

Cleanup Volunteers

Description: Help clean up the interior and exterior of St. Joachim.

Next Clean-Up Day: Exterior, March 22
More days will be scheduled, as needed.

How to Sign Up:

• Visit this link: https://archseattle.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/4242/responses/new
• Email Olivia: olivia@whatcomcatholic.org

Helping St. Joachim Financially

How to Donate

• Write a Check: Put “St. Joachim Restoration Fund” in the memo line.
• Click this link: https://ppay.co/FcrZcBi3u54
• In-Kind (Expert) Work: E-mail Olivia Phillips (olivia@whatcomcatholic.org)

Introduction to Project List

Mission: Our goal is to help restore the oldest Catholic Church in Whatcom County while working to memorialize Lummi history within the church.

Explanation: It is our desire to refresh and strengthen the oldest Catholic church in Whatcom County, in conjunction with it’s being chosen as a pilgrimage sight for the Roman Jubilee Year and the Archdiocese of Seattle’s 175^th Anniversary. This project will focus on repairing key historical elements to the church, including the repair of “The Arrival,” (a Lummi carving), the centennial shrine, the creation of a memorial for Chief Henry Kwina, and the creation of a St. Kateri Shrine. The restoration will also include extensive exterior and interior repairs to restore and protect the church for generations to come.

Structure: The project list has been broken into 5 fundraising goal phases. Below is a detailed analysis of what each goal will entail, the estimated cost, and other commentary. It is important to understand that each of these are estimated costs, since the older nature of the church increases the likelihood of unforeseen expenses. We will only undertake projects at the level of donations received.

All Potential Projects Total: $336,000

Phase 0

This phase costs no money and instead relies on volunteers to come together as a community to take care of the exterior grounds and deep clean the interior of the church. We will be restoring the choir loft to the Church, allowing the choir to return to singing in its original place. Moving the choir will also allow for the creation of a devotional shrine near the altar. We will also work on freshening up the grounds, power washing, and cleaning the exterior.

Phase 1 (Immediate Needs): $11,000

New Church Sign

$4,000

Create a new church sign with correct contact information, Mass times, and name of Pastor.

Memorial Plaque for Chief Henry Kwina

$500

The original church location down by the river regularly flooded, so Chief Henry Kwina donated the current plot of land to which moved and on which it now stands. This plaque, added to the Centennial shrine, will commemorate this donation.

Informational Plaque for “The Arrival”

$500

“The Arrival” is a traditional carving, installed in the St. Joachim parking lot, commemorating the coming of Fr. Chirouse to Lummi. This plaque would explain the carving to visitors.

Repair Lights

$6,000

Fix the interior lighting of the church to ensure that it is up to electrical and fire code, while giving a more ambient and less office-like atmosphere. This will require an electrician.

Phase 2 (Pilgrimage Goals): $35,000

Repair Centennial Shrine

$10,000

In 1961, St. Joachim erected an outdoor shine in celebration of the 100^th anniversary of its founding. This shrine has fallen into disrepair. Repair will include exterior woodwork, repainting, replacing any damaged roofing tiles, and power washing exterior.

Repair Hall Roof

$10,000

Patch and repair social hall roof, which has historically leaked.

Repair “The Arrival”

$10,000

“The Arrival” is a traditional carving, installed in the St. Joachim parking lot, commemorating the coming of Fr. Chirouse to Lummi. The paint has almost completely disappeared, leaving the wood susceptible to moss and rot. This repair would include sanding and wood repair, repainting, and relandscaping the base.

Interior St. Kateri Shrine

$5,000

Create a St. Kateri Shrine in the devotional space next to the altar, including a votive stand, information regarding the St. Kateri, and relevant carpentry.

Phase 3 (Preserving for the Future): $50,000

Repair the Exterior of the Church

$50,000

We need to repair the exterior of the church due to water damage on the front left side. Depending on the damage to the church, we will need to repair any damaged fascia, flashing, siding, and insulation; and repaint where needed with these repairs. This also factors in any structural repairs that will need to be done.

Phase 4 (Beautifying and Elevating): $110,000

New Doors for the Building

$20,000

This includes new locks and interior and exterior doors. We hope to create arched and more aesthetically pleasing doors for the entrance of the church.

Creation of New Walkways

$15,000

Update exterior walkways, including up to the centennial shrine. Create seating area and widening of concrete area for the centennial shrine.

Interior Structural Repairs

$75,000

Interior repairs will be done in the hall and sanctuary where needed. Specific repair of stained-glass window and water damage in the choir loft area. If there is money left, repair original church foot-pump organ.

Phase 5 (Reach Goals): $130,000

Fix Pews

$20,000

Repair pews in the choir loft, fix any damaged pews, update pews in the church hall.

Landscape

$20,000

Update exterior landscape with native trees, plants and shrubbery. Either remove or prune trees on the advice of an arborist.

Paint Interior of the Church

$30,000

Remove wood paneling, repair original wall material, and paint the interior of the church, choosing colors as close to original colors as can be determined.

Update Fence

$10,000

Create aesthetically pleasing fence that matches the historic nature of the church. Remove chain-link fence.

Update Altar and Sanctuary

$50,000

Provide updates to the altar and sanctuary, including potentially new altar, tabernacle, candle sticks.

Final Note

All projects are at the discretion of the Pastor, Fr. Moore, and he can reprioritize specific phases for this restoration project. Any extra funds raised will stay at St. Joachim.